The first day of the school year rushes in like a breath of fresh air. Everything feels so new, from meeting new friends to plunging into new subjects. Before you know it, your calendar fills up and you wonder how you're going to manage your curly mane.

No worries! Here, ringlet rules to swear by from homeroom until the bell rings at the end of the day.

Rule #1 — Keep a secret stash of hair helpers.

Transform your hip handbag and school locker into mini vanities to make superfast fixes throughout the day.

In your purse or backpack, tuck away an ouch-free elastic, a barrette or clip, and a half-dozen bobby pins (just in case you want to randomly pin back a few curls and twist-up your style). Also, remember to make room for a travel-size, curl-rejuvenating spritz to perk up your curls and smooth out frizz in a pinch.

As for what to lay away in your locker, Cozy Friedman, stylist and owner of New York's Cozy's Cuts for Kids Salon, suggests a special corner for your curl supplies.